Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Understanding Ordination

by Rev. James Wong

The ordination service of Pastors and Reverends was held in BCCM KK on the 17 Oct 2009 (Saturday) at 2:00pm.

In our church we have three levels of pastoral posts; Preachers, Pastors and Reverend Pastors at the highest level. The status conferred on the candidate of ordination is a recognition of a person’s fitness for the pastoral office and a public recognition of a person’s commitment to serve the church. It is not a promotion. Especially the ordination to Reverend, it is the candidate’s public declaration of a life long commitment to serve the Lord and His people. He/she makes a public promise to be faithful in carrying out the work entrusted to him. Thus, ordination is a defining moment in the life of those who serve full-time in the ministry. Here are the various qualifications for the different pastoral posts.

The qualification of Preachers: (1) Graduated from recognized Theological Seminary or Bible College and posses at least Certificate in Theology. (2) Must be a dedicated Christian with a calling to serve.

Qualification of Pastors: (1) Graduate from recognized Theological Seminary or Bible College and possess at least Bachelor of Theology or equivalent qualifications. (2) Served as preacher for at least one year. (3) Assessed and recommended by the Pastors Ordination Committee (4) Must be a dedicated Christian with a calling to serve.

Qualification of Reverend Pastors: (1) Graduate from recognized Theological Seminary or Bible College and possess at least Bachelor of Theology or equivalent qualifications. (2) Served as pastor for at least three years. (3) Recommended by the Pastors Ordination Committee and pass the qualifying examination. (4) Must be a dedicated Christian with a calling to serve.

In our church we do not ordain a person to become Preacher. We commission them to be Preacher. However, Pastors and Reverends are ordained. Ordination is for life unless due to unforeseen circumstances, the ordination is revoked.

The chief responsibility of the ordained ministry is to build up the body of Christ by proclaiming and teaching the Word of God, by celebrating the sacraments, and by providing guidance for the life of the community in its worship, its mission, and its caring ministry. This ministerial task is founded on Ephesians 4:11-13, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (NIV).”

The main task of pastors is to acquire the skill to train God’s people for ministry because serving Christ is the privilege and responsibility of all believers. It is the mobilization of the whole church for ministry is one of the most daunting tasks of pastors. Support your pastors in prayer always and serve the Lord wherever you can. Serving Christ is not reserved for ordained pastors.

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